macOS Catalina: Is it safe (yet)?

macOS 10.15 Catalina, the next version of Apple's operating system for its Macintosh computers, will no longer run 32-bit apps, and some media files may not be playable as well.

Photo: Apple Inc.

Apple released its second update to macOS Catalina — version 10.15.2 — earlier in the month. After using it for three weeks I have had far fewer system-related issues than I had with initial release and first update.

Because I’ve written not one but two columns this year warning of the dangers you could face when you upgraded to macOS 10.15 Catalina, I thought I could issue the all-clear this week.

Then I got a text message from a friend:

I downloaded Catalina and now my computer won't boot up...

To which I replied:

Did you not read the TWO columns I wrote warning you not to install it yet?What happens when you reboot? What do you see?

She said:

I can sign in, then it just goes to a black screen.

I sent her a link to the instructions for reinstalling Catalina via the internet (https://tinyurl.com/internetreinstall), but she was more comfortable taking it to an Apple Store and having a genius do it for her.

Six hours later she said:

It’s fixed!

Which is precisely why I warned you about Catalina twice already this year. And, although many (if not most) users aren’t having issues with Catalina 10.15.2, I’m still not ready to pronounce it “safe for mortals.”

My friend’s text this week reminded me why. When you perform a system software upgrade, and especially a major upgrade like this one from 10.14 Mojave to 10.15 Catalina, you replace many of the system’s most vital components and apps. While Apple usually makes these major upgrades relatively painless, this one has been particularly brutal.

First and foremost, think about whether you really need to upgrade to Catalina. If Mojave (or High Sierra or whatever) is working for you today, are you sure you want to replace most of its components? Before you upgrade, consider whether you really need Catalina’s new features. If there aren’t any “must-haves,” consider sticking with the system you’ve got.

Second, if you decide to upgrade, pick a day when you won’t be stressed if things go badly. The upgrade should take well under an hour, but if things go wonky it could be a lot longer than that before you regain use of your Mac. So, choose a day (and time of day) when you won’t have deadlines; can do without your Mac for a while; and have time for troubleshooting if necessary.